A long-standing Defence program that identifies opportunities for Australian companies in the international supply chains of eight multinational Defence companies will be the subject of an independent review starting later this month.
The examination of the Global Supply Chain Program signifies the continuation of the Morrison Government's push to reform defence industry support programs to increase the opportunities for Australian small businesses in Australia and overseas.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price today released the Terms of Reference for the review and revealed former senior Australian public servant and policymaker Lisa Paul AO PSM would lead it.
"The independent review of the Global Supply Chain Program will identify how we can better position Australian businesses to meet Defence's future requirements," Minister Price said.
"The Morrison Government is committed to making it easier for small and medium businesses to engage with global supply chains.
"We need these small and medium businesses to be a part of our robust, resilient, and internationally-competitive Australian sovereign defence industrial base.
"They must be aligned to our whole-of-government plan to support the economy and achieve our strategic and capability goals.
"This review will enable Defence to provide further, more targeted support to Australian businesses wanting to work with multinational defence companies.
"It will also look at ways to better incentivise the achievement of these outcomes among participating businesses."
Reviewing the Global Supply Chain Program was one of the recommendations from an independent review of the Centre for Defence Industry Capability, which was completed in 2020.
The Centre for Defence Industry Capability currently manages the Global Supply Chain Program on behalf of Defence.
The review and its recommendations are expected to be delivered to Minister Price in October.
